<b>fNIRS Dataset of Gait-Related Ankle Activity across Healthy and Drop Foot Patients</b>

The dataset includes 27 participants across two cohorts: healthy controls (n=20; 10 male/10 female; 23±3 years) and individuals with ankle mobility impairments (n=7; 4 male/3 female; 61±12 years) with conditions including left hemiplegia, diabetic neuropathy, and ankle instability.

Signals were acquired using a NIRSport2 system with a 20-channel motor-cortex montage at 10.1725 Hz and dual wavelengths (760–850 nm). Task presentation was implemented in PsychoPy®, with a 180 s protocol for healthy participants and a 240 s protocol for patients to accommodate clinical constraints. Ethical approval was granted under AU/EA/2023/04/004 in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.